DeKeyser named Whitefish Bay girls basketball coach

Rick DeKeyser, who recently resigned after coaching the Nicolet girls basketball team for the last two years, was named the coach for the Whitefish Bay girls basketball team this evening.

DeKeyser was offered the position this weekend and immediately accepted, said Bay Athletic Director John Gustavson. DeKeyser plans on meeting with the returning basketball players sometime this week at lunch.

DeKeyser said he was not actively pursuing any head coaching positions after his resignation and had accepted a job as an assistant at another school before the Bay position came up.

"This was the only job I would have accepted," said DeKeyser. "In fact, I was offered two other jobs (head coaching) after I resigned and I said 'no' to both of them."

DeKeyser takes over for former Bay assistant Dave Markson, who served as a successful interim coach this season.

Gustavson sent out a special "thank you" to Markson.

"{He) did a tremendous job as interim coach this past season," said Gustavson. "His efforts helped put the program in a good position to continue providing a memorable experience for all involved."

Prior to serving as head coach for Nicolet DeKeyser had served as assistant coach at Nicolet for many years to Corey Wolf. Wolf led the Knights to a state title in 2011 and stepped down a year later to spend more time with her young and growing family as DeKeyser took over.

Wolf just accepted the head coaching position for the Homestead girls this weekend too.

DeKeyser, who said he likes to plan things well in advance, wants to get going on the job right away.

"They're such good kids (at Bay)," he said. "A very good group. I always had such respect for them. When (Greg) Capper and (Dave) Markson were coaching it was always such a good rivalry."

"...This was still a tough decision, but when I go into something I go into it with my heart all the way. Our schedule will be tough, but I think it's going to be fun."

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